Applicability of deterrence theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Applicability of deterrence theory - Essay Example Contrary to religious philosophers like Thomas Aquinas, Hobbes delineates people as neither good nor bad. Aquinas insists that men are ethical rather than evil. From Hobbes view, human beings chase their self-interests like material gain, security, and protecting their reputations. Consequently, humans pursue their interests in disregard of others. Therefore, they end up offending others and breaking the law. Hobbes argues that beings are reasonable enough to understand acts that lead to illegitimate behaviors and disagreements.   This situation can be avoided by getting rid of perpetrators of injustice for the betterment of the community at large. Hobbes termed this practice a social contract. The society gets into a social contract with the government in order to avoid war, misunderstandings, and crime. As a result, the state is supposed to implement the social contract. However, violation of the law may still occur in spite the state performing their roles. Ideally, punishments for crime should not outweigh benefits of criminal behaviors. Therefore, deterrence is the reprimand that people get for committing offenses. Important to say, theories of deterrence are premised on three fundamental principles: severity, certainty, and celerity. The higher the intensity of the punishment the likelihood of a rational human being desisting from engaging in such crime increases. Therefore, criminal laws should impose hefty penalties in order to discourage citizens from committing a crime.